International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

"Created in 1995, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), an intergovernmental organization with member states from all continents, has a mandate to support sustainable democracy worldwide. IDEA operates at an interface between those who analyse and monitor trends in democracy and those who engage directly in political reform or act in support of democracy at home and abroad. IDEA works with both new and long-established democracies, helping to develop and strengthen the institutions and culture of democracy. It operates at international, regional and national level, working in partnership with a range of institutions." [1]

Manmohan Malhoutra (Former Treasurer), Secretary-General of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, India; former Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and adviser to the former Prime Minister of India, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

Shridath Ramphal (Former Chairman), former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Global Governance.

Lord David Steel, Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament and former President of Liberal International, UK.

Ambassador Thorvald Stoltenberg (Former Chairman), President of the Norwegian Red Cross, former Foreign Minister and Minister of Defence of Norway, and UN Special Representative in the former Yugoslavia.